Emery wins Blackhawks' backup goalie job

The veteran signed a one-year contract with the Hawks on Monday for a reported $600,000, and the team assigned rookie Alexander Salak to Rockford of the American Hockey League.

“We’re in the fortunate position to have to make a difficult decision on two netminders that impressed throughout our entire training camp,” general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. “Having both Ray Emery and Alexander Salak as a part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization makes us stronger in both the short-term and long-term.”

The 29-year old Emery will start the season as the No. 2 goalie behind starter Corey Crawford. Emery was in camp on a tryout basis after playing for the Ducks last season. During the exhibition season, Emery was 0-2-0 with a 4.58 goals-against average and .813 save percentage while Salak was 0-1-1 and .929 save percentage and 1.94 goals-against.

But the Hawks went with experience as Emery is a veteran of 173 career regular-season games over parts of seven NHL seasons with the Senators (2002-08), Flyers (2009-10) and Ducks (2010-11). The Cayuga, Ontario, native has also 20 wins in 36 career appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which includes helping the Senators to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.

Salak, 24, has appeared in two career NHL games while as a member for the Panthers. He was acquired by the Hawks along with forward Michael Frolik in a trade with Florida on Feb. 9 for Jack Skille and minor-leaguers.

The Hawks' training camp roster now stands at 26 active players, including 16 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.